To build or buy used......?

[Rickd]

AZ - I would definitely recommend that you visit ERA in New Britain, Ct. Use some frequent flyer miles and fly from Arizona to Hartford - it's about a 30 minute drive from there. You will be able to see cars in various states of build - ERA normally finishes about 5 cars or so a month. There is always a chassis being welded and bodies being molded and the initial inner aluminum panels being installed (chassis / glass shop). Then you go to the "candy store" in the next building - where Peter, Bob, et al have their offices - this is the 'finish shop'. Cars come here from paint to be finished as painted rollers or turnkeys - there are always 10 -12 cars in various stages of completion. The ones on the lift - are the "hot" cars, getting the final touches. You can check my gallery and there is a shot I took at ERA when mine was in that stage - amazing build quality - true craftsmen - and the best chassis in the business. In the finish shop you will see 427's and 289's - in street and competition trim. Then take a visit to the skunk works where the GT40's are built. SS monocoque chassis - nuts on copies of the originals dimensionally - just better. My first cobra was a used Unique 289FIA - 7-8 years old when I bought it, in excellent shape, and I was fortunate to be able to sell it after 2 years use and order a new ERA 289FIA. I visited ERA twice before ordering, and then again twice during the build. It is really quite amazing to see what they are doing there -and you need to bring food - preferably Italian - for Peter!! Also have a checkbook to lock up a production slot. Enjoy the research.